Foldable gaff hook



v. vSTODDARD $6,822

FOLDABLE GAFF HOOK Feb. 7, 'E950' Filed Nov. 15, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor ttoneys Feb. 7, E950 v. sToDDARD 2,496,822

FOLDABLE GAFF HOOK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 15, 1945 Patented Feb. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES 2,496,822 FOLDABLE GAFFHOOKif. Vine Stoddard, "J esup; IovvaA Application November115, 1945*,'Serial Noll628g7 442'.

' 1 Claim. (Cl. 43--5l' The present invention relates tto'nevv and-useful improvements in foldablesgaifthooks forflifting fish and including a hook section and a handle section pivotally connected to each other together with means for rigidly supporting the sections in open longitudinally aligned position when in use, or in retaining the sections in a folded position so that the article may be handled with safety when not in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character including a detachable strap to facilitate the handling of the hook and for lifting a fish from water into a boat.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device -of this character of simple and practical construction, which is strong and durable, eiiicient and reliable in use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise we adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which- Figure l is a side elevational view showing the hook in open position.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view hook in folded position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing the keyhole slot for detachably connecting the strap thereto.

showing the Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on a line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line 6--6 of Figure l, and

Figure 'I is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on a line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates the handle section while the numeral 6 designates the hook section of the gaff hook, one side of the handle section 5 at its lower portion being formed with a longitudinally extending slot 1 in the lower portion of which the shank of the hook I is pivotally attached by means of a transverse pin 8.

The slot 1 is adapted to receive the shank and barb of the hook when the latter is in its folded `-position as shownin Figure 3 :ofl `the drawings. i

Thev pivotedend `.of :the i hook isf flattened...as-Y indicated at 9 and formed at one edge with a shoulder I0 and formed at its opposite edge with an inclined portion I I.

A leaf spring I2 is positioned in the rear edge of the slot 1 and secured at its upper end to the handle 5 by means of rivets or the like I3. The lower portion of the spring I2 is free and adapted to conformably seat in the shoulder In of the hook in a manner as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings whereby to retain the hook in its open or longitudinally aligned position and Without danger of accidental folding of the hook.

The hook 6 may be folded by forcing the lower end thereof upwardly into the position as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings whereby the lower end of the spring I2 will engage the inclined edge II of the shank of the hook and secure the hook in its folded position with the barb thereof positioned in the upper portion of the slot 1.

The intermediate portion of the handle 5 is formed in one side with a recess I4 over which is secured a plate I5 having a keyhole slot I6 formed therein, the keyhole slot including an enlarged opening I1 at its lower end. Positioned behind the plate I5 is an arcuate leaf spring I8 having its outwardly curved surface bearing against the plate and adapted to frictionally contact an annular head I9 in the upper portion of the recess I4 behind the plate I5, the head being formed on the inner end of an eye 20 to which a flexible strap loop 2| is attached by means of a metal loop 22. The strap loop 2l is provided for grasping by one hand while the handle 5 is grasped by the other hand so that the gaff may be easily lifted by both hands to facilitate lifting heavy fish caught on the hook 6. An upward force exerted on the strap 2i while lifting a fish engaged by the hook will urge the head I9 and eye 20 upwardly in the slot I5 to prevent accidental removal of the strap from the handle. The strap may be detached from the handle by sliding the head I9 downwardly into registry with the opening I1 whereby the head may be withdrawn therefrom. The strap loop 2l is attached to the handle 5 by inserting the head I9 in the enlarged opening I1 of the keyhole slot I6 and then pulling upwardly on said loop to slide said head I9 behind the narrow portion of said slot IB.

The upper portion of the handle 5 is formed with longitudinally spaced annular grooves 23 to provide a hand grip and a pair of leather strap loops 24 ping of the hand from the handle.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction,

unnecessary.

It is to be insertion of the fingers of said hand therethrough to prevent said hand from slipping oil to facilitate lifting a heavy sh caught on said hook.

VINE STODDARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

